Garden Sage
Other names
Common Sage
Growth habit
Shrub
Perennation
Perennial
Native distribution
N. & Cent. Spain to W. Balkan Pennin. and Asia Minor
Biocultural value
In Classical times Sage was believed to increase longevity due to its many curative properties. Salvia is derived from the Latin 'salvere' to be saved. A classic seasoning for roasted meats, poultry, sausage, and stuffings. It also pairs well with winter squash, bean dishes and rich cream sauces.
Location
Source of plant
Bluestone Perennials
Description
Perennial shrub, to 80cm. Stems erect, much-branched, 4-angled, white-pubescent or -tomentose. Leaves to 55 x 15mm; petiolate, simple, oblong to elliptic, base obtuse or attenuate and occasionally lobulate, margin entire, rugose, white pubescent especially beneath; petioles to 2.5cm. Verticillasters 4-20 flowered, approximate, in more or less simple racemes; pedicels to 3mm; bracts ovate, apex narrowly acute, membranous; calyx to 14mm, bell shaped, glandular-punctate and pubescent, apex of teeth subulate to narrowly acute; corolla white or pink to violet or purple, tube to 15mm upper lip to 1cm. Fruit to 2 — 1mm, grey.
USDA Hardiness Zone
5
Special characteristics
fragrance, foliage characteristics, food, other ethnobotanical uses, medicinal/pharmaceutical